World Congress of Gastroenterology

General Hospital Vienna, 1998

Traditional Medicine, Monday 7th September, 2 4 p.m.

Maharishi Ayurveda
The science of life

Lothar Krenner, M.D., Vienna

Definition

Ayurveda is the oldest existing health care system, originating in the ancient
Vedic civilization of India. The word Ayur-Veda is derived from two Sanskrit
roots: Ayus, meaning life or life-span, and Veda, meaning knowledge,
science or intelligence. Ayurveda is, therefore, translated as science of life.

Recognized by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Ayurveda has

recently been undergoing an extensive revival under the auspices of the
leading Vedic scientist Maharishi Mahesh Yogi - who introduced
Transcendental Meditation to the world in 1957 - in collaboration with
leading Ayurvedic physicians and scholars. This modern restoration of
Ayurveda, called Maharishi Ayurveda, re-establishes the full integrity of all
aspects of Ayurvedic therapy found in the classical system of Ayurveda.
Maharishi Ayurveda is widely practised throughout the world and is like a
trademark which guarantees the highest medical standards of diagnosis and
therapy. Maharishi Ayurveda is one of the 40 disciplines of Maharishis Vedic
Approach to Health.

A new holistic approach to health

The goal of Maharishi Ayurved is to enliven the physiologys inner

intelligence, described as Veda.

The Vedic tradition understands that nature is not fundamentally objective; it

is not based on material objects. Rather, the most fundamental reality is said
to be completely subjective an unbounded and eternal field of pure, abstract
intelligence, or consciousness. This unified field (Veda) is the home of all
the laws of nature (Hagelin J.S., <1987>, Is consciousness the unified field? A
field theorists perspective; Modern Science and Vedic Science, 1, 29-87). What we
see as the material world is, according to Vedic science, waves or fluctuations,
or impulses, of this non-material underlying field of pure consciousness.
Therefore Veda does not mean a collection of ancient books, rather it is
the modes of vibration of this transcendental unified field of pure knowledge.
Veda and the Vedic literature is an abstract blueprint of creation including our
physiology; they are therefore more basic than the level of DNA. Our
physiology is a compact expression of this unmanifest field of intelligence.
Research conducted by the neuroscientist Tony Nader has shown that there is
a one-to-one relationship between the physiological structure and function of
our nervous system and the structure and function of the Vedic literature (see
T. Nader, Human Physiology: Expression of Veda and the Vedic Literature).

Therefore Maharishi Ayurveda especially emphasizes the central role of

consciousness in creating health - the mind-body-environment connection
(see Yoga and Transcendental Meditation). It furthermore emphasises non-
pharmacological approaches to the prevention and treatment of disease,
including stress management, behavioral modification, nutrition, herbal
therapeutics and purificatiory procedures (Panchakarma). The holistic
therapeutical concepts in Maharishi Ayurveda are natural and without any
harmful side-effects.

Maharishi Ayurveda can easily be integrated into the medical practice. A

profound and systematic training programme for medical doctors (at present
under revision) guarantees the highest expertise.

Health is Wholeness

In the traditional textbooks of Ayurvedic medicine health is defined as

follows: Balanced Doshas, balanced Agnis, balanced Dhatus and elimination
of waste materials (Malas), and bliss established in consciousness, senses and
mind this is said to be perfect health (Sushrut Samhita, Sutrasthan 15.41).

* Doshas the 3 basic functional elements of the physiology

Vata movement, transportation, communication

Pitta metabolism, digestion, transformation
Kapha stability, cohesion, lubrication

The 3 Doshas are everywhere in the physiology and are always functioning
together. Every individual is a specific combination of Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
This is the basis for the constitutional system in Maharishi Ayurveda. If for
example Vata is predominant in the physiology, we speak about a Vata
constitution; likewise Pitta, Kapha, or Vata/Pitta, Vata/Kapha, Pitta/Kapha,
or Vata/Pitta/Kapha constitution. If Vata, Pitta and Kapha are in balance
in terms of the individual constitution - the physiology as a whole is in
balance. This is only possible if there is a lively connection between the inner
intelligence or the inner nature (Prakriti) and the different outer
constituents of physiology (Doshas, Dhatus, etc).

- Symptoms of balanced Vata:

Exhilaration, alertness, normal function of tissues, normal elimination,
sound sleep

- Symptoms of balanced Pitta:

Contentment, courage, sharp clear intellect, normal heat and thirst
mechanisms, good digestion

- Symptoms of balanced Kapha:

Affection, generosity, stability of mind, normal joints, muscular strength,
vitality

- Symptoms of imbalanced Vata:

Dry or rough skin, insomnia, constipation, tension headaches, intolerance
of cold, degenerative arthritis, anxiety

- Symptoms of imbalanced Pitta:

Inflammatory skin diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, visual problems,
peptic ulcers, heartburn, excessive body heat, premature greying of hair,
hostility

- Symptoms of imbalanced Kapha:

Oily skin, excessive sleep, lethargy, mental dullness, slow digestion, sinus
congestion, nasal allergies, asthma, obesity

* Agni digestive fire

Agni is the power of transformation. In Maharishi Ayurveda one
distinguishes 13 different Agnis. If one or more is disturbed, the whole
process of digestion is disturbed.

Agni is the first expression or sound of Rik-Ved (the part of Vedic literature
which expresses the holistic aspect of Veda or consciousness); this shows the
direct interconnectedness of the process of transformation and digestion with
the inner intelligence of the physiology.
* Dhatus the 7 tissues
In a process of refinement, food gets transformed into plasma (Rasa), blood
cells (Rakta), muscle tissue (Mamsa), fat tissue (Med), bone tissue (Asthi),
bone marrow (Majja) and reproductive tissues (Shukra). The most refined
product of the digestive system is called Ojas. It links the material
physiology with its inner intelligence, described as Veda or Transcendental
Consciousness.

* Malas waste products

faeces, urine and sweat

In Maharishi Ayurveda there is a detailed description of how food gets

divided into its constituents and how from them body-tissues get built up. If
these refinery processes are not in balance, the end product Ojas does not
come out in optimal quality and quantity. This creates a restriction between
the inner intelligence level (Veda) and the different parts of the body.
Maharishi Ayurveda sees this as the main cause of the development of
diseases. It is called Pragya-aparadh, the mistaken intellect. When the
intellect is not open to the level of Veda, intelligence is not lively in the
physiology (Ojas is not produced in proper quality and quantity); this creates
imbalances, which are the first step to the development of a manifest disease.

The whole therapeutic concept aims at enlivening the bodys inherent

intelligence. Therefore Yoga and meditation (Transcendental Meditation) play
a central role in the therapy of Maharishi Ayurveda.

As in human physiology, every lively material structure in nature is built up

from a level of intelligence (Veda) together with the 3 Doshas (Vata, Pitta
and Kapha). Therefore with this system in Maharishi Ayurveda we have the
basis for a holistic therapeutic concept:

- Herbs and Minerals (Dravya-Guna)

- Diet
- Neuromuscular and neurorespiratory integration techniques such as Yoga-
Asanas and Pranayama
- Music therapy (Maharishi Gandharva-Veda)
- Aroma therapy
- Maharishi Jyotish and Yagya
According to the priciple that everything in the universe is interconnected
with everything else on the basic level of intelligence, for establishing a
 state of perfect health one also has to take in account the influence from
the cosmos the cosmic counterparts (The classical textbooks of
Maharishi Ayurveda mention the interconnectedness between micro- and
macrocosm). Therefore Maharishi Jyotish has an important role in
preventing diseases: averting the danger before it arises.

- Maharishi Sthapatya-Veda
Vedic Architecture: living in accord with Natural Law

- Pulse diagnosis (Nadi Vigyan)

The primary diagnostical method in Maharishi Ayurveda is pulse diagnosis.
By detecting imbalances in the physiology through this special technique
one enlivens the inner intelligence of the physiology and thereby
strengthens a balanced state. So pulse diagnosis in Maharishi Ayurveda is
both diagnosis and therapy at the same time.

- Transcendental Meditation (TM)

The TM technique is a mental method of the Yoga system with a thousands-
of-years-old tradition. It has a profound and solid scientific research
background. TM is not a religion and it does not require a specific belief or
lifestyle. It is natural and effortless and easy to learn. It is practised for 20
minutes twice a day.

During the practice of Transcendental Meditation the mind experiences a

deep state of rest, the ground state of consciousness which is called
Transcendental Consciousness. In Maharishi Ayurveda this ground state is
defined as Veda, the level of the inner intelligence of physiology (see
chapter: a new holistic approach to health). Through the practice of
Transcendental Meditation this level of intelligence gets enlivened. This is the
main mechanism to restore balance and maintain health in physiology.
Therefore the emphasis in Maharishi Ayurveda is on the development of
consciousness, which is the prerequisite for re-establishing health in the
physiology. That is the reason why Transcendental Meditation plays a central
role in the therapeutic concept of Maharishi Ayurveda.

A vision for a perfect health care system

The complementing approach of modern medicine together with Maharishi

Ayurveda could bring a completely new situation for the health care system,
including
* improved efficiency in the medical treatment especially of chronic diseases
and in prevention of diseases (see below scientific research about Maharishi
Ayurveda)
* lowering the harmful side-effects of modern medicine treatment concepts
(Brennan, T.A., Leape, L.L., Laird, N.M., et al.(1991). Incidence of adverse
events and negligence in hospitalized patients: result of the Harvard
Medical Practice Study I. New England Journal of Medicine 324: 370-376)
* an improved cost-expenditure ratio (cost-savings through Maharishi
Ayurveda in health care systems between 30 to 50%, Volkamer, 1996).

Maharishi Ayurveda does not want to exclude the advantages of modern

medicine but to extend its diagnostic and therapeutic scale. Complementary
medicine in general has to adopt the highest medical standards, including the
scientific validation of there therapeutical concepts (this should be equally
valid for modern medicine: according to the editor of the British Medical
Journal, only 15% of the therapies used in medical practices have a scientific
basis or any proof of their efficiency; British Medical Journal. 1991;303:798-9). If
this is accomplished as in the case of Maharishi Ayurveda (but also with
many other systems of complementary medicine) - there should be no
restriction to implement complementary medicine in our health care systems.
It will decrease the harmful side-effects, increase the patient compliance, the
effectiveness of the treatment, and the reduction of health care costs.

A modern health care system has to introduce more effective concepts in

preventive medicine. In most cases the doctors are too busy to reduce the
symptoms; ...the efforts to prevent diseases are inadequate; Leaf, A. (1993);
Preventive medicine for our ailing health care system; Journal of the American
Medical Association 269: 616-619.

Maharishi Ayurveda has a complete knowledge about health and how to

maintain health in the individual and in society. Together with the great
knowledge of modern medicine, this can bring the dawn of a new era in
which we come back to the basic task of medicine: to create perfect health in
the individual and a disease-free society.

Scientific Research

Maharishi Ayurveda has been the subject of extensive scientific research and
clinical experience which has verified its effectiveness in the prevention and
treatment of disease. More than 600 studies have been published in leading
scientific journals. For example, a large-scale study found that regular practice
of Transcendental Meditation (TM technique) results in an average 50%
decrease in medical care utilization, both in-patient and out-patient (Orme-
Johnson, Psychosomatic Medicine 49 <1987>; 493-507). In addition, recent
studies of traditional Maharishi Ayurveda herbal preparations have found
significant effects which impact on the treatment and prevention of
cardiovascular, rheumatic, pulmonary, gastro-intestinal and other chronic
diseases, as well as on the ageing process.

- Free-radical scavening: inhibition of Human Low Density Lipoprotein

(LDL) Oxidation in vitro by Maharishi Ayurveda Herbal Mixtures (MAK 4,
MAK 5, MA 631), Hari M. Sharma, et al., Pharmacology, Biochemistry and
Behavior, Vol. 43, pp. 1175-1182, 1992: The alcoholic extracts of the MAHMs
were at least 1000 times more potent than vitamin C, vitamin E and
Probucol.

- Immunomodulatory effects by Maharishi Ayurveda Herbal Mixtures

(MAK4, MAK 5) in mice, Ryoichi Inaba, et al., Japan Journal of Hygiene, Vol.
50, Nr. 4, pp. 901-905, 1995.

- Hypoglycaemic, Hypolipidaemic and general beneficial effects of a

Maharishi Ayurveda Herbal Mixture (MA 471), Amulya R. Sircar, et al.,
Alternative Therapies in Clinical Practice, Vol. 3, Nr. 5, pp. 26-31, Sept./Oct. 1996.

- Improved Occupational Health; The traditional Yoga technique of

Transcendental Meditation was introduced to 447 employees of Sumitomo
Heavy Industries in Japan; after 5 months the Meditation group showed a
significant decrease in physical, emotional and mental complaints; Japanese
Journal of Industrial Health 32 (1990), 656.

- Reduction for Hypertension through regular practice of Transcendental

Meditation; A randomized controlled trial of stress reduction for
hypertension in older African Americans; Robert H. Schneider, et al.,
Hypertension, Vol. 26, pp. 820-827, 1995.

- Cost-effective hypertension management: comparison of drug therapies

with an alternative programme; Robert E. Herron, et al., The American Journal
of Managed Care, Vol. 2, pp. 427-437, 1996.

Literature:
- Hari Sharma, M.D.; Freedom from Disease; A scientist rediscovers
prevention-oriented natural health care: Maharishi Ayurveda; ISBN 1-
895958-00-8
- Hari Sharma, M.D., Christopher Clark, M.D.; Contemporary Ayurveda,
medicine and research in Maharishi Ayurveda, Churchill Livingstone, New
York, 98, ISBN 0-443-05594-7
- Tony Nader, M.D., Ph.D.; Human Physiology: Expression of Veda and the
Vedic Literature; a textbook for life; Maharishi Vedic University Press,
Holland
- Nancy Lonsdorf, M.D., Veronica Butler, M.D., Melanie Brown, Ph.D.; A
Womans Best Medicine, Tarcher/Putam, New York
- Dr. med. E. Schrott, Dr. med. W. Schachinger; Handbuch Ayurveda, Haug
Verlag, 2005, ISBN 3-8304-2106-0

For more Information please contact:

Austrian Society for Ayurvedic Medicine (Maharishi Vedic Medicine)

Lothar Krenner, M.D.
A-1080 Vienna, Piaristengasse 1, Austria/Europe
ph: +43/1/5134352, fax: +43/1/5139660
e-mail: lothar.krenner@aon.at
Internet: www.ayurveda.at